NASCAR notes: Earnhardt meeting goes smoothly

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been soundly outshone by Kyle Busch, the driver he replaced at Hendrick Motorsports, but he hopes to turn the corner soon.

To that end, Earnhardt and much of the brainpower at Hendrick Motorsports held a meeting recently to air their views and try to stumble on something that would bring improvement.

Earnhardt is 19th in points after five races.

Goal-oriented

Carl Edwards has three goals this season, and can get one Sunday.

"This season would be the perfect season if we won two races and a championship and those two races would be a Martinsville race and a road course," he said,

Stat Of The Day

Only four active drivers have won more than once at Martinsville Speedway: Mark Martin (2, the last in 2000); Tony Stewart (2, last in 2006); Himmie Johnson (5, including four of the last five); and Jeff Gordon (7, last in 2005).